Thailand
Criminal law article 305
The abortion law was based on the European model (19th century) introduced by European advisor to King Rama V. Prior to this introduction there was no abortion law.
The last amendment was in 1957 where article 305 was added. (This article allows PHYSICIANS to carry out abortion with the consent of the patient only from “HEALTH” indication and from pregnancy arising from specified sexual crimes) i.e. articles 272, 273, 282, 283, 284 in the criminal code law.
- To save the life of the woman: Yes
- To preserve physical health: Yes
- To preserve mental health: Yes
- Rape or incest: Yes
- Foetal impairment: Yes
- Economic or social reasons: No
- Available on request: No
The health care provider, the medical schools, the police, and the society as a whole still consider the law to be “Restrictive”. Different agency makes different interpretation.
Lately, the Thai Medical Council, the Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health have redefined the term “HEALTH” to cover MENTAL as well as the PHYSICAL aspects.
The main abortion service providers are private NGOs, GP clinics, private hospitals, and gynecologists in private clinics and hospitals. Charges are variable and often exploitative. It is completely unregulated and statistics are unavailable.
The WHRRF is a nonprofit NGO with the aim of bringing increase access to safe abortion for Thai women through training research and advocacy in collaboration with the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, and the Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
- Yes / No, any conditions.
- Yes, no conditions.
The incomplete statistic was reported by the Ministry of Public Health.
Total – NA
- 1st TM – NA
- 2nd TM – NA
- Safe – NA
- Unsafe – NA
- Married women – NA
- Unmarried women – NA
- Adolescents : NASeptic abortions – NA
Abortion services available – Yes in some hospitals
- 1st Trimester – Yes
- 2nd Trimester – Yes
Cost; varies – Up to US$ 100
Abortion services available in private sectors
- 1st Trimester – yes.
- 2nd Trimester – rarely yes
Cost- varies from US$60 to US$ 500 depending on gestation size.
- D&C, EVA, MVA
- 2nd Trimester mostly with Misoprostol
Only Ob-Gyn. and Physicians are permitted by law.
300 : 100,000 abortions.
All available no restricted of import.
Misoprostol is imported and registered for non-obstetric. Mifepristone is not licensed.
Both inpatient and ambulatory facilities are adequate.
They are quacks, traditional birth attendants. Midwife, nurses are not allowed to provider abortion by the law.
Supportive and amending the medical regulation for termination of pregnancy
Provides adequate funding to run training and service delivery programs
The Department of Health trains physicians and nurses on “Prevention of Unsafe Abortion Pre and Post Abortion Counseling and Care and Use of MVA” and supply MVA to public health hospitals with inadequate funding.
Supportive